An initial steering committee has formed in the recently incorporated non-profit organization, Human Animal Bond Research Initiative Foundation (HABRI). The foundation and its workers dedicate their time to promoting the positive roles animals play in the communities’ health and well being.

Along with announcing an initial steering committee, three new association supporters were also announced. Those association supporters that have joined HABRI include: Pet Industry Distributors Association, The Pet Care Trust and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.

“We are pleased that these companies, organizations and industry leaders recognize the importance of HABRI’s efforts and have joined us to support research, education, advocacy and a national commitment to the positive impact of the human-animal bond,” said Bob Vetere, president the American Pet Products Association, which along with Petco and Pfizer Animal Health is a founding sponsor of HABRI. “Together with their support we are poised to help others come to understand what we already know, that the human-animal bond has the power to improve health and enhance the quality of life for humans.”

With the new supporting staff and committee, HABRI has quite an upcoming agenda. The organization has plans for establishing an education center, foster government relations, create a support network and fund new research topics. In following through with their mission, through the steering committee, four work groups have been composed: research work group, support work group, government affairs work group and communication and education work group.